Belize joins the Madrid System
On 24 November 2022, the Government of Belize, through its intellectual property office (BELIPO), presented the World Intellectual Property Office its instrument of accession to the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks.
Belize is the fifth country from CARIFORUM to become a member of the Madrid System, expanding the global coverage of the system to 129 countries. The Madrid Protocol will enter into force in Belize on 24 February 2023.
From that date forward, brand owners in Belize can use the Madrid System to protect their trade marks internationally by filing a single international application designating the countries for which protection is sought, and paying a single set of fees.
The Madrid Protocol is an international trade mark registration system. It makes it possible to protect a mark with an international registration covering each of the designated countries. Its cost-effective and straightforward designation process means foreign companies and trade mark proprietors selling their goods and services in Belize can now seek protection through the Madrid System.